New Children's Book Battles Plaque with Toothbrush Trio

Parker Publishers has released Jimmy Has a Hole in His Tooth!, a new children's picture book by registered dental hygienist Mollie Fennimore and dentist Richie Gunnell. Aimed at children ages 2 to 10, the book turns brushing, flossing, and rinsing into an action-packed adventure. The story follows seven-year-old Jimmy, who loves visiting his Grandma Ruby on weekends, where he indulges in sweets and skips brushing. One night, his toothbrush, Tommy, comes to life and warns him that a gang of "plaque attackers" has been drilling holes in his teeth. With the help of the Toothbrush Trio—Tommy the toothbrush, Flossy O'Malley the floss, and Rocky the Rinse—Jimmy learns to fight back and protect his smile.

Unlike traditional health books that lecture, Jimmy Has a Hole in His Tooth! weaves dental education into a relatable narrative. Each member of the Toothbrush Trio has a distinct personality: Tommy is a champion fighter, Flossy is a rodeo cowgirl, and Rocky is a martial arts master, giving kids memorable characters to think of every time they pick up a toothbrush. The core message is simple and reassuring: sugar is OK, but at the end of the day, we must brush those sticky bugs away. "Children can become empowered to care for their own smiles," says Fennimore. "Ninety-nine percent of a healthy smile begins at home, and this book shows kids exactly how to make that happen."

Mollie Fennimore is a registered dental hygienist based in North Carolina with more than 40 years of clinical experience. Her career spans new practice startups, operations, marketing, PR, and mentoring. She has participated in community outreach programs, dental clinics, and dental missions. Fennimore was inspired to write this book after witnessing too many children undergo preventable dental treatment simply because they had never been taught how to brush and floss properly. Richie Gunnell, DDS, brings the Toothbrush Trio and the plaque attack gang to life with playful, hand-drawn illustrations rendered in colored pencil and ink. A practicing dentist, Gunnell's artwork captures the story's humor and energy while keeping dental concepts accessible for young readers. The book is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and wherever books are sold.